1st time for carry-on-only internationally - need clothing feedback!

I think you have too many pants. I usually go with four bottoms. For a recent trip to Greece in May, I had one pair long pants, one ankle pants, one capri length, and one gaucho style pants. This worked for me for the variety of weather we had and activities.

I would also take a raincoat.

We do some in room laundry but also try to get apartments with a washing machine (usually no dryer).

I agree you have too many pants. I'd get rid of 2. You also need some type of lightweight rain jacket and a hat that can hopefully do double duty as protection from sun or rain. Try doing a trial pack with your current packing list to see if everything you need fits into your carry on and personal item bags. If the weather turns hot, plan on doing laundry twice rather than once.

FWIW- my next trip will be 20 days in the Fall and I take almost all Merino wool, as you wear multiple times before laundering, hand washes & dries quickly, excellent temperature regulating and packs down small.
All of this is merino wool (almost all from WoolX):
3 pants- two light weight and one heavier (heavier worn on the plane).
4 shirt-. 2 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve
3 underwear.
3 socks
1 bra
Plus one of each of the above, worn on the plane with the heavier pants

Then, extra shoes (waterproof), light jacket, rain shell (we'll be in rain) and I always carry a pashmina.
I wouldn't go that bare bones if it wasn't merino.
Good luck! It is nice to be able to travel light

Great question! Consider the weight and ease of your bag, some of us prefer backpacks, I only use a 2-wheeler roller bag because it's lighter.

Personally, I travel with 2 pairs of Mt Hardware pants (REI, they have a long zipper on the side that easily fits a cellphone) & one pair of light weight yoga pants for evenings in hotels, along with a T-shirt nice enough to wear to breakfast. I would carry a packable down jacket rather than a sweater, it will warm you up more and you can layer it under your raincoat.

Only one pair of flats wouldn't work for me, but how are your feet? For April / May in England, you should probably consider waterproof walking shoes, plus I use Oofos sandals for hotel rooms.

Watch out for all those 'extras' and what I call the 'what ifs'. I don't add to my final packing, I pack far in advance laying everything out on the dining room table to visualize what's needed. And I only wear comfortable, broken in clothing, nothing new that might chafe, shrink, whatever. Good luck! Oops, others replied, sorry for redundancies, I would also add gloves to the list.

Here's my last packing report, but for warmer weather than you might have. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-report-for-sunny-skies-6-nights-in-germany

I agree, too many pants. Sorry for the redundancies.
I take :
3 pair pants, pack 2 and wear 1
6 shirts total, LS and SS, pack 5 and wear 1
All are mix and match
1 Cashmere or yak sweater, pack in tote.
1 pashmina for plane and evening.
4 sets undies, pack 3, wear 1
5 pair socks, 2 or 3 of which are compression socks
PJs (shorts & t-shirt)
1 pair walking shoes
1 pair sandals
Jacket and/or raincoat
No dresses.

Everything is hand washable. I take foldable hangers and powdered Forever New laundry soap.

Since I travel solo independently or on RS tours, no one is going to pay attention how many times I wear each outfit. Mix and match colors gives you more outfits with less clothes.

Then there are lotions and potions for daily upkeep, bath bag, technology gadgets. Can’t forget my PayDay candy bars. Don’t forget your money belt.

Packing weight goal is 20lbs for rolling carry-on and 7lbs for tote.

For traveling 2 weeks or more I plan a stop in a laundromat. In less than 90 minutes I'm in and out. Unlike some, I don't find it a hardship. I may grab a coffee or glass of wine nearby and I have had some nice conversations with both locals and other travelers while waiting. I am not a fan of in room laundry with the exception of occasional underwear/bras.

A lightweight , packable, waterproof raincoat/jacket is a non negotiable.

And consider the weight of your empty bag. Several years ago a replaced an almost 8 lb. roller with a spinner coming in under 5 lb. Huge difference! If I can ever find a decent bag (not backpack) under 4 lbs, I'll buy it.

Just before departure take a look at the forecasts. Add or subtract warmer/cooler layers as needed.

I agree with posters' replies - too many pants. Changing your top but keeping the same pant changes the overall look to appear new/different.
Yes Jodi - I've been purchasing WoolX items and find them to be very comfortable and fast drying when I hang dry after hand washing. I've started to lay out my outfits for hot hot Corsica in 2 weeks and my merino woolX bra and briefs will be included.
As for pashmina - I have 3 different weights and fabrics... For Corsica in July it will be my lightweight cottony gauze for wrapping over my shoulders on a possible cold international flight and then while on excursions it will be in my tote for cooler evening temps and proper coverage in cathedrals.

Your hotel might send your laundry out or do it in house for a fee. Last year in Slovenia, one of my favorite parts of a two week trip was going to the laundromat with my husband and figuring it out together. If you truly like “cultural immersion,” it’s a fun way to do that!

I obtain great ideas on packing the right clothes, putting together a capsule wardrobe, shoes, etc on a FB page and website known as Travel Fashion Girls. I also get ideas looking at Pinterest.

Looking at your list-- April and May weather can run the gamut. Bring a water proof jacket that can also double as a run around coat too. I wear a Gortex Marmot that has logged about 100,000 travel miles--it goes everywhere and is perfect for wind, rain and chilly temps. Layers. The correct walking shoes for conditions. Scarves are must have accessories--bring a couple of them or buy a couple in London and France! You could wear your cardigan everyday and change scarves and noone would know.

Although you tend to be warm, the humidity and if it's chilly, you can get cold. Weather doesn't ruin a trip, the wrong clothes will! I would bring a pair of jeans and drop 4 pairs of pants. I like to pack comfy clothes -like a pair of shorts or leggings with an oversized tee shirt (also can sleep in it) to kick around the room. You will be doing a lot of walking. A pair of recovery flip flops can make a huge difference and can be used in the hotel room too in lieu of slippers.

Pickpockets are not a joke -- cross body bag like a Pacsafe is very handy. I own 3 of them and use whatever the trip dictates for size and what I'll need.

Bring a packable tote bag to bring home souveniers-- I like the RS "don't tell Rick bag". You can check a bag on the way home and celebrate the liberation of traveling light this trip. Sounds like a good trip!

I haven’t tried merino, but after reading Jodi’s endorsement maybe I will. Many of the shirts and pants I take are marketed to hikers or athletes — lightweight and quick drying, and they tend not to wrinkle. Mountain Hardwear, Kuhl, Marmot, and REI’s own brand are good brands.

I only took 3 pairs of pants for 19 days in Ireland and Scotland. We did real laundry once (luckily our hotel had machines!), and a little sink laundry here and there.

Do keep in mind that many European airlines have weight limits for carry-ons, and they ARE ALL DIFFERENT. (It’s crazy-making!) I’ve seen as little as 7 kg (about 15 lbs) and as much as 23 kg (50 lb).

Hi, I have relatives coming to stay so I don’t have time to read the replies. But seeing the list, that’s way too many clothes for a carry on.

Before you pick a number of anything- pants, shirts, socks or underwear, pause and think through it this way: how long before something just worn is available to be worn again? If a shirt is a quick-drying fabric and you’re washing it in the sink at night, then you could essentially wear it again the next day. I realize you want some variety but you could easily get by with much less thinking this way. I usually bring a pair of pants and two dresses and wear a second pair of pants on the plane. A few shirts & a layer, and I’m fine for a month. I have a favorite Royal Robbin’s dress that I wear almost every other day on some warm trips. It looks nice on me, it’s very comfortable and it’s always washed & clean each time. I wash something each evening and hang it in the shower.

Something I would increase in your list. I always pack two bras plus the one on the plane. In case one has an issue, or it’s a sweaty hot day, I can change.

I bring a Cotopaxi 35L which I absolutely love. I use a packing cube for underwear, but the mesh sides of the Cotopaxi eliminate the need for other clothing packing cubes. My bag isn’t full, so there’s no need for compression, rolling clothes or other misc. ways to try to bring more.

I won't repeat the pants advice, but the first thing that came to my attention was that you only have one pair of shoes. I would strongly consider 2 pair—a pair of walking shoes (on my upcoming trip, I'm wearing a pair of Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes as I like to walk a lot) and a pair of casual flats for evening or short walks, etc).

If you just bring one pair, you will have to wear them every day, through rain and shine and mile after mile. Your feet will feel much better if they can switch shoes occasionally. Second, if they were to get wet (which is always a possibility), then you're stuck wearing wet shoes. Nobody wants that.

Other than that, it looks pretty good (barring the pants, of course). 😊

I carry an RS back door bag (convertible w/waistbelt if there is no weight restriction, classic if there is). I like both hands free, don't like wheels/handle counting toward weight limits, and more and more lately my spouse has had wheeled bag gate-checked which defeats the whole point of hand-carry-only. Inside my RS bag apart from clothes is my camera bag, about 10cmX12cmX6cm weighing 2,5kg. I also carry a Civita daypack (contains what I want at hand on the plane, then as a walkabout bag at destinations).

I bring 3 100% merino tops (dark colours, doesn't show spills) regardless of trip length. Wash them in hotel sink as needed...which is typically after 4-6 days wear. They are that good at resisting odours. I buy them on the 'Bay NWT typically 50% of store prices. Pack 2, wear 1 on plane...with a cotton shirt over it as backpack will abrade merino quickly. Trousers: one pair dark indigo stretch jeans (worn on plane), one pair ultralight nylon packed. I bring a little spray bottle (empty of course) to fill with cheap vodka and mist the jeans if needed. Works a treat, dries quickly.

Socks: 1 pair medium compression merino blend (Duluth Trading), 2 pair Thorlo walking, 2 pair Wigwam polypropylene liner socks (I double-sock for walking ow get blisters).

Underwear: 3 sets, Ex-Officio nylon, dries overnight (faster w help of hairdryer)

Shoes: wear Mephistos, pack 1 pair lightweight Hokas. 1 pair flat airline slippers we got 25 years ago on an overnight flight to Bangkok.
Outerwear depends on climate. As little tech as possible (just phone, no laptop or tablet), 1 indentical cord/charger for each of us, so we have a backup. One 1,5m extension cord each, male end gets local adapter, female end is triple outlet native to our devices. Small RS cosmetics bag in addition to the 3-1-1 ziplock.

Use an old fisherman scale to weigh bags at home to keep under limits.

We don't travel to the wilderness or third-world countries so worst-case we'd just pop into a store and buy something if we absolutely have to, even if we need to leave it behind on our last day.

When you’re thinking about your husband’s options, my husband liked bringing golf pants because they’re lighter weight.

And you can still attend something more formal by adding a pretty scarf to a dress or with a shirt & black pants and your flats shoes. My husband wore his black golf pants and a lightweight sweater to the Vienna opera house for a ballet, for instance. I’ve attended lots of formal concerts wearing either a dress or a fancy scarf wrapped over a black 32 Degree microthin top & black pants.

I heartily endorse merino tops and undies (have not tried the bras or pants). I have many colors of long sleeve tops from Costco. Either my husband or I have a WoolX one. The undies are from REI. I usually have one or cardi and a fleece. I have at the most 4 pairs of pants. For our early May trip to UK, I wore waterproof Oboz. My black pants were long enough to feel ok wearing the sneakers for a little dressier occasions. My 4 pairs of socks are wool, at least 2 are compression.

Sounds like a fun trip!

Try putting all your choices in your bag and haul it around the local park for an hour. Then reconsider everything. For your husband - I take exactly the same things on every trip in my baggage: 5 t-shirts, 5 undershorts, 5 pairs of socks, 1 Merino top and 1 merino bottom for chilly days, one extra pair of long pants, shorts to use if scorching or as bathing trunks in hotel pools, 3 or 4 Shirts, with a mix of LS and SS depending win season, 1 rain jacket, 1 puffy jacket, I travel blazer (note you can wear a blazer over a t-shirt just fine). My walking shoes and a pair of hotel slippers, plus depending on the season maybe a pair of light shoes/sandals; whatever he will be comfortable with for short distance walking. Everything should be washable together and sturdy (European laundries I have used don't understand a "gentle cycle.") Hat and gloves. Tech and toiletries go in my personal item. Guides and books go on the mini-tablet. Universal charger for each of you with multiple ports for your tech. Have fun.

Welcome to "The Club"! I have learned so much here over the years. Someone already mentioned the weight of your empty suitcases- do you know yet which airline(s) you'll fly? Do check their dimensions (with wheels) as well as weight limits.
I had treated myself to a nearly 9 lb international Briggs and Riley carryon when I retired. With 18 pounds (including sometimes your personal item) as a limit, it was, sadly, a nearly impossible challenge.
My July "swap" is just under 5 lbs and now it's feasible. I do rewear things repeatedly. I pack as if for one week, then times 3-5 wearings. I have a lovely fabric spray and often turn tops inside out to spritz for overnight- a mist on the pants/skirt as well.
For trips with city time and museums I have a lightweight midi skirt with deep pockets (Ruti). It doesn't wrinkle, I roll it the long way and pack it like a circle around the rest of the contents. That and two "bottoms", along with whatever I wore on the plane, is enough for 3 weeks.
Happy planning! What an amazing trip!

I think the most helpful advice I have received regarding packing light (advice from this forum), is to use a kitchen scale to weigh items. Quickly I realized I could swap out 1 heavier tee shirt for 2-3 lightweight ones. The same with pants, some jeans weigh 2-3 times lightweight pants. An added benefit is that the lightweight items handwash and dry much easier also. When deciding between items to bring the lightest weight always wins now. I also use the scale to check weights on all the other miscellaneous items that I bring.

Jumping ahead to toiletries (which I understand isn't the focus right now): if you consider a washcloth an essential part of showering, be sure to pack one, and a zip-lock bag to put it in if you have to pack it before it dries. It's the rare European hotel that provides them. I don't know whether that's because Europeans don't use them, or if they consider it too personal an item to be washed and reused by many people.

I highly recommend getting a nice pair of Ponte pants in black (or navy). I get mine at Costco for less than $15 but you can get nice ones at Quince for a lot more. Mine are an elasticized waist so are perfect to wear on the plane because they have the comfort of yoga pants but I can dress them up with a scarf and cardigan for evening wear.

Also, take it from someone who lived this. We took our kids to London and Paris over spring break in early April and the weather was easily 20 degrees warmer than normal. Fortunately I had tossed one warm weather outfit for each person in the suitcase last minute so we survived 75 degrees for several days in Paris. We had a washer in our apartment and I laundered those shorts every day for the kids! So, my advice is to include a couple versatile pieces for that possibility. This is where merino wool shines as it keeps you comfortable in both warm and cool weather. I get my long sleeve shirts at Costco in the fall, but you can find nice merino wool sales regularly. I now have 4 different dresses for a multitude of occasions that I picked up at various sales.

Personally, I would skip the Pashmina. I love the idea of them, but they take up so much room and are a bit more fiddly than I prefer. Bring one cardigan instead and a scarf to jazz the look up instead. You will get a blanket on the plane. No need to BYO.

Also, I just picked up a couple of soft and silky lightweight dresses from 32 Degrees which would be fantastic as a sleeping option as well as a clothing day option. I’m packing for walking the Camino de Santiago and it’s been a great exercise in finding options that will do multiple things for me. Try to find items that can be used in multiple ways whenever possible. It will really help you narrow down your packing.

I am fairly new to the carry on only crowd, but looking at the above lists I feel that I can bring quite a bit more than what some people have listed. I know Lufthansa has a very light weight limit but other airlines I have been on have a much more liberal weight limit. I don’t want my bag to be unmanageable but since the size of the bag limits what I can bring I like to work within that framework. I use a Rick Steves 2 wheeled bag. I would rather have fewer pants (but I would say 4 is what I typically bring) and definitely more shirts/tops than some people have listed. I like to mix and match but have more choices. I bring mostly athletic type tops that are quick drying and “travel” type pants I get from Athleta. But I do like to have one nicer top. I try to do laundry mid trip and wash some things out in the room as needed. Definitely more than one pair of shoes. Typically I wear one pair of sneakers ( or my hiking boots if it’s a hiking trip) and bring an extra pair of nicer sneakers and a pair of sandals. A waterproof rain jacket is an essential for me no matter where or when. Make a list of mix and match items, lay them out and do some practice packing and see what works for you :-)

Congrats on making the switch. We’ve been traveling this way for over 20 years. You’ve received a ton of good advice. Here are a few tips I would add:

Layout all your clothes ahead of time and make sure you can mix and match to create a few outfits. The best way to do this is to stick to a color scheme. I do like bringing one dress because they usually don’t take much room, it’s an easy way to dress up and helpful if there’s a heat wave.

Shoes are the killer - limit to no more than two pairs of shoes- wear one pack one. Make sure both pairs you can walk in comfortably.

We typically plan on a laundry trip- either self serve as someone mentioned and enjoy a coffee while you wait or drop off and pick up.

Enjoy being able to move around much easier.

"I can bring quite a bit more than what some people have listed." Of course you can, and some people do. No one who does carry-on only will ever be a fashion plate every day. But don't feel too constricted. I travel with a nice blazer. Essential no, comfortable yes, lots of pockets yes, can be dressed up or down yes. And, my wife loves it that I want to look that nice.

I think your list looks pretty good! And I agree with what everyone else is saying re: pants, etc. - I'd add a hooded rain jacket (unlined) and a cardigan. I can't wear most wool, so I bring tech tees, usually from Kohl's, long and short sleeved - there are some with more of a textured or cotton finish that don't scream "running shirt" lol. Easy to rinse out, dry overnight if needed. Febreze or similar fabric spray can be useful as well. I almost always have 3 pairs of shoes, I can't seem to avoid it - but my feet like it. I also recently bought one of those neck pillows that you fill yourself - you can roll up some lightweight pants and shirts in that if needed. Which means more room for shoes! lol

Clothes and packing is so personal. I for once do not wear skirts or dresses on a regular basis (even in the summer). Because if I do, I also have to wear an anti-chaffing shorts.
And I do have a great black skirt that is knee length and packs really small. I've brought it to a few trips and only once I wore it. So my suggestion is to avoid clothes that are "what if I need". On the other hand, it's 4 pants for me (one wearing, 2 for sightseeing, and 1 black "dressy" for dinners). I move a lot between cities so sometimes I am not in a place enough to hand wash and have it dry before packing for next location.

I also sweat a good amount around my chest and bring at least 3 bras (1 wearing). I've encountered unexpected heat wave where I had to switch clothes early afternoon and I like to have a clean extra set of underwear. But I only bring 4 pairs of socks - I think it gives me enough time to hand wash between uses.

Shoes depend on location and time of the year, but I always travel with the heavier walking shoes, bring a light sleep-in or black tennis shoes, and flip flops that are cute and can pass by "sandals".

My warmer jacket goes on the plane with me and sometimes have pockets stuffed with gloves, hat, powerbank (which is a bit heavy).

I also bring a packable light and small duffle bag if I think I might want to check my bag on the way back home with souvenirs or if it's heavier. This way I have the duffle to carry-on plane with set of clothes and essentials. But I've also bought said duffle during the trip :-)

Happy travels. Once you do carry-on, it's hard to go back to checking. It's a freedom you have to experience to fully understand.

Lots of great advice included in the above responses. I’ve traveled the whole world and try to bring less with every trip. My max wt. is 15 lbs. for carry on luggage and 5 lbs. for under seat bag. April/early May is cooler weather so no dresses/skirts, sandals or sleeveless tops for me. I am warm natured so pashminas and puffer coats would be left at home. Three pairs of long pants (1 black and two others-2 lightweight and one heavier), a raincoat, 4 short sleeve shirt with one being comfortable enough to sleep in and wear during the day, one long sleeve black microfiber shirt and a 3/4 length shirt that can be worn by itself or layer as a lightweight “jacket “, sleeping shorts (consider not too tight exercise pants) (I want to sleep in clothes that I could leave the room if necessary or go to the gym in), underwear, socks and bras are your choice. Walking shoes or sneakers and a pair of waterproof shoes. Cold wet feet are miserable. I would wash all clothes half way through the two week trip. Hand wash can be done at other times.

Personal care products can add lots of weight. I don’t use the 3.4 oz containers anymore because they hold too much lotion, shampoo and conditioner, etc. Measure how much you use each week and double it or so. Find or save small sealable containers and fill them. Keep your make up simple. I don’t add shampoo or conditioner quantities for my husband…his short hair can survive the junk the hotels have. Bring a curling iron if you absolutely need it or get your hair cut a week.

As Sarah Murdoch says you can bring a personal item…mine is my sketch paper and prismacolor pencils.

A sunhat is essential for me…packable/crushable from Amazon.

Compressed/disposable towels…really washcloth size…from Amazon expand into washcloths when wet…take up no room and weigh nothing.

Water shoes….don’t get me started on how slippery European bathroom floors are, how high the sides of bathtubs are. These are for SAFETY. Some pack a suction grab bar, too, for the same reason.

Compression socks are great for flights. So I wear them.

I bring packets of insect repellent wipes and packets of sun lotion. Or small tube from Trader Joe. I bring sample sizes the dentist supplies each visit for toothpaste, brush and floss. We pack a cake of soap, now that body gels are ubiquitous.

Your packable puffy jacket also can fill in for an undesirable bed pillow by stuffing it into a pillowcase. Just remember to remove it in the morning.

I have never taken a trip longer than 2 weeks so a carryon is standard for me, even if I check it.

I do frequent sink washes, too.

I was to emphasize the advice to weigh everything. Weigh the bag empty. Weigh the packing cubes. I have seen some that are shockingly heavy. Weigh your toiletries kit, full and empty. Weigh your shoes and your clothes. I make a list of various shoe and clothing options and write down their weights. This makes choosing VERY easy. Instead of a synthetic pashmina (which most of them are, IME), try a silk sarong. It weighs a lot less.
I would add a packable puffer jacket for London. These are generally available very inexpensively at Costco starting in the fall. All the better if it comes in its own little bag, which becomes a pillow for the plane. I have also used a drawstring bag that a set of sheets came in for this purpose.
Packable waterproof rain jacket is an absolute must. A tip I read on the forum is to use a (waterproof) ball cap to prop up the hood. The rain jacket should fit over the puffer for the ultimate in rain/wind/cold protection.
A packable tote or duffel with a zipper is nice to have for the laundromat, shopping and using as a carryon for the return flight when you might want to check your bag.

You are getting good advice from the carry-on experts here. You need a luggage scale if you don't already have one. It's important to find out the carry on weight allowance of the airline you're flying. I have packed what I thought was minimal and still had room left in my my suitcase but upon weighing it realized I needed to take out something and substitute it with a lighter weight item. Now my sleep wear weighs only 3 ounces. The carry on weight limit for Lufthansa for our last trip to Europe was 8kg or about 17 lbs. American airlines are not as strict about weight only the size of luggage.

Your packable puffy jacket also can fill in for an undesirable bed pillow by stuffing it into a pillowcase.

This has been my kid "travel pillow" for years! When I travel with my now teen, we bring a light pillow case where we put our puffer jackets, and she uses it as her pillow on the plane. Better than the one they provide in economy.

To travel happily with only a carry on and a personal bag, one has to accept the following:

Laundry will have to be done frequently. We do ours by hand and it only takes 20 or so minutes a day. If you don’t have experience doing hand washing while traveling, let me know and I'll let you in on a few tricks that should make things easier.

You will wear the same outfit more than once. Maybe two or three times each. But, you must not worry about what others may think. If you are with a group, you'll see them in the same outfits multiple times. If traveling solo, or with just a partner, who will know. Then too, they don't pay your bills, so why worry.

Don't take a hair dryer. Every place we’ve stayed in Europe in the past has had one in the room. Or you can borrow one from the front desk. Worst case scenario, you buy a small cheap one there.

Some general thoughts:
Take only black, white, and grey clothing that can be mixed and matched. You can add a splash of color with a scarf, belt, tee, or tank. Take things that are light weight, wrinkle free, and will dry quickly. Several sources are Magellan's, Travel Smith, and Chico's. All have web sites and Chico's has regular stores. Chico's is really great.

If you take a lot of meds, get an extra label from the druggist, put it on a freezer zip lock, put the pills in the baggie. Saves a ton of space and weight. Just be sure take the data sheet with you to show what it is and that it is for you.

Take very little jewelry. One or two necklaces and ear pieces at the most. Take only two purses. Your regular day bag will do for daytime. If you feel the need for another then a small clutch for evening.

Do not take a lap top or tablet. It will take up space and add weight. Check email with a smart phone.

Before I forget, if you are traveling with someone, always put half of your stuff is their bag and half of their stuff in your bag. Carry on bags are sometimes gate checked no matter what the size / weight. If one of the bags goes on its own vacation, both will still be able to get by.

Clothing:
Three under shirts – two regular and one tank top – wear one and pack two.
Five underwear -- wear one and pack four.
Three bras -- wear one and pack two.
Five pairs of socks – wear one and pack four.
Two pairs of shoes – wear one and pack one.
Three pairs of pants – wear one and pack two.
Three shirts or blouses – wear one and pack two
One jacket and one belt – both to be worn in route.
One vest, one sun hat, and one light sweater – all to be packed.
Rain coat to be packed.

This is a bare bones packing list. You might be able to add another shirt or pair of pants – just depends on how much space is taken up with cosmetics, phone chargers, guide books, and misc. I also carry a RS Veloce Shoulder Bag as a personal item. It will hold lots of odds and ends. And at least one change of underwear.

This list isn’t perfect for everyone but it works well for me. I also use a combination of packing cubes, folders, and tubes to organize things and aid in the placement of the various items. One of the keys to being able to travel for a long period with only a carryon is experimenting with the packing and seeing what does and doesn’t fit / work.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need additional specifics.

I was in these same areas for 15 days in April of 2025 (well, London, not Oxford...but close enough). I'm in my 70's and manage my luggage easily and usually travel solo. I was very happy with my choices. Including what I was wearing, I had 2 jeans and one yoga pant, 3 three-quarter sleeved and 1 short sleeved merino wool tees (woolx and wool&), 1 corduroy blazer for travel days, 1 raincoat, and one light puffy Costco vest, 5 unders, 5 merino socks, and 4 bras, 1 short PJ. I wore my walking sneakers and packed a leather flat with cushioned rubber sole by Taos that would crush down to nothing, which I mainly wore as slippers in the room, but could have worn outside if something happened to my shoes. Unders and socks were washed a couple of times by hand. The jeans I sent to the hotel laundry halfway through. I only wore the yoga pants when my jeans were at the laundry. Everything I packed, toiletries, electronics, first aid, bed bag, etc. fit in my TravelPro Maxlite compact spinner. I then removed what I wanted to put in my personal item or have in case my bag had to be checked or during other transport, but I like to know that everything that I'm wearing can fit into just the suitcase. Normandy is the only time I needed the puffer vest, which I wore with my mid thigh length raincoat 9 (Eddie Bauer Trench).

Unders and socks are easy to wash in my reinforced zip lock bag. I fill it with water, add soap, and clothing and shake. Then I leave it to soak while I leave. When I come back I rinse and hang them to dry. It can't take more than 5 minutes of my time.

Have a great trip!

I am THRILLED with all of the quality feedback. Point taken on pants. LOL!

A couple of points to call out:
- We now plan to buy our 2 weeks' toiletry needs at Boots in London.

• We now plan to do in-room quick washes as needed, but overall we'll do a major wash reset in Bayeux on evening while having a light dinner.
• I've taken all advice to heart. Knowing how I "function" - clothing preferences, heat (in)tolerance, etc., - I've made adjustments accordingly.
• I plan to purchase an international roller carry-on that weights 5.4 lbs: https://travelpro.com/products/maxlite%C2%AE-5-international-expandable-carry-on-rollaboard%C2%AE. My husband prefers backpacks so we'll see where he lands, but it will def be lightweight.
• A luggage scale is in my Amazon cart as I type.

My updated lists are attached. What have I missed?

Roller Carry-On

• Black pants 1
• Casual pants 2
• Yoga/lounge pants 1
• Shirts (short-sleeve) 3
• Shirts (long-sleeve) 1
• Cardigan / vest 1
• Casual flats 1
• Walking shoes 1
• Underwear 6
• Socks 3
• Bras 2
• Mesh laundry bag 1
• Washcloth in baggie 1
• Mini-makeup in contact lense cases
• Rain jacket (in stash bag)
• Collapsible hat/cap
• Printed "Daily Ops" pages (3 max)
• Converter
• Buy toiletries at Boots (London)
• Buy a couple of scarves (souvenirs)
  

Tote Bag for Plane
Phone, Charger, Ear buds, Readers, Passport, Money clip, Hand santizer, Disposable masks, Paperback, Gum, Paper/pen, Meds, Sunglasses, Day 1 "Ops" page, Charging brick, Pashmina, Cross-body daily bag (0.5 lb)

Thanks again to all of you for your thoughtful responses!

Alison

Not at all a bad idea for one person to have a backpack and the other to have a rolling bag --- it's what we have done for 25 years and it turns out to have been handy dozens of times that one person can have both bags while the other is free to deal with something or other.

Not to be picky, but to avoid any confusion with terminology- you dont need a converter unless you are taking an appliance that isn't multivoltage. All modern electronics are at least dual voltage. What you DO need is an adapter. In your case either a universal adapter (a cube with various different plugs) or separate adapters for the UK and France.

Looking good, 21cAlison! Since your husband is considering a backpack, I’ll put in a plug for the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (L=liter). My husband has taken his on 3 international trips and loves it. It opens up clamshell style (like a suitcase), so it’s easy to pack and find things. The backpack straps can be stowed away, which I think is an important feature, since at times he may want (or be forced) to check it. Loose straps make a bag more vulnerable to damage on the baggage conveyer belts, etc. Check it out on Cotopaxi’s website. (It’s not cheap, but I think it’s priced fairly.)

@CJean - 100% accurate correction. Thanks for clarifying.

I like to bring those (unscented) laundry sheets and a couple of unscented dryer sheets Easy to pack and you can use the laundry sheets to wash things in the sink in your room and also in the washers at a laundromat. I am not a fan of scented detergents so that works well for me.